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Malois DeGraaf "Mae"
Born: 5/20/1925
Died: 3/3/2024
Age: 98
Community: Flint, MI
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DEGRAAF, Malois “Mae” - Of Flint, age 98, passed away on Sunday, March 3, 2024 with the loving presence of her husband Don in their own home.
A Funeral Service will be held 11:00am Saturday, March 23, 2024 at Calvary United Methodist Church, 2111 Flushing Road, Flint, with Pastor Gregory Timmons officiating. An inurnment will take place at Sunset Hills Cemetery at a later date.
The family will receive friends for visitation from 9:00am on Saturday, March 23, 2024 until the time of the service at the church.
Malois was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 20, 1925, the daughter of George F. and Catherine C. Wieland. She married Donald DeGraaf in 1948, and they celebrated 75 years of marriage in 2023. Malois was known for her loving spirit, making sure each person knew they were noticed, valued and cared for, so much like her mother Catherine.
Among her great loves were children of all kinds and in all places, being kind to people and knowing about their families and children. Many remember her availability for long conversations about anything, that often shaped their lives and character. One of her favorite places to be with others and do her drawing was on the beach of Lake Michigan.
When she and Don lived in Ann Arbor, 1948-53, Mae was a teacher on the 9th floor of the U of M Hospital. The children called her the Play Lady and the medical team appreciated and respected her ability to keep them distracted from their pain and fear. Then Don entered the Navy service in 1953 in Washington D.C. and there Mae visited the children’s ward in the local hospital; even staff from other units would visit the play time to enjoy her natural ability to help the children relax and engage in joyful expression and creativity.
Mae’s lifelong sewing and art activities were avenues for her imagination and giving to others. These included helping out at church creating displays and sanctuary decorations, dressmaking, quilting and banners. She sewed most of her own clothing in original designs and was happy to help others when she could. On the family’s travels she would capture the beauty of nature in Michigan, Colorado, and New Hampshire especially.
She was a good listener, a wonderful prayer warrior and a teacher. Her faith in the Lord was her anchor and comfort, and she greatly appreciated the faithfully scriptural hymns from tradition, especially in her last months. Recently, she would often sing complete 4 or 5 verse songs abiding deeply in her memory, including during her hospital stay last summer to minister to the staff. Her presence was a gentle balm to all who met her. Her life was a light of the Love of Christ to us all.
Surviving are husband, Donald E. DeGraaf;
children, Daniel (Vicki), Gwen and David (Karen);
grandchildren, Nathan (Heidi), Kate (Micah), Meghan, Talitha, Christopher and Philip;
and four great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mae’s memory are suggested to Calvary United Methodist Church Memorial Fund or Bethany Christian Services.
Your condolences may be shared with the family at swartzfuneralhomeinc.com
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| Visitation |
| Date: |
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3/9/2024 |
| Time: |
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| NONE |
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| Funeral Service |
| Date: |
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3/23/2024 |
| Time: |
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11:00 AM |
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| Location: |
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Calvary United Methodist Church
2111 Flushing Road
Flint, MI 48507Get a Map to this location...
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